The BMW X5 E70 underwent a "Life Cycle Impulse" (LCI) update in 2010, which debuted at the New York Auto show in April 2010. Changes included revised styling, primarily of the front and rear bumpers, air intakes and headlights, but also included new exterior and interior colours and BMW's latest infotainment system. Apart from these changes a new range of engines was also introduced, while other engines received updates and the new 8-speed automatic gearbox was available for the X5.
In this post we take a closer look at a 2012 BMW X5 xDrive30d LCI and compare it to a pre-LCI BMW X5 3.0d, but equipped with the (optional) M-package.
On the left a pre-LCI X5 and on the right an X5 that already has the LCI specifications, which include revised spoilers and different angel eyes (instead of beige they are white).
Model (Code / Model Year): BMW X5 xDrive30d LCI (2012 / E70)
Exterior colour: Alpine white (300)
Upholstery: Tobacco Nevada leather (LUF1)
Interior trim: Fine-wood trim bamboo grain dark
Wheels: 19-inch styling 223M alloy wheels (part of the M-package)
Most notable changes compared to the pre-LCI (left) are the different exhaust pipes and the introduction of the L-shaped LED-taillights.
Most notable changes in the interior is the new software and the new iDrive controller that features more buttons that take you to the respective menu.
Optional equipment:
The optional M-package includes the following equipment:
- Interior trim fine-wood bamboo grain dark, Exterior aluminium, roof rails high-gloss aluminium, 19-inch alloys styling 223M, comfort seats with memory, anthracite headliner, M sport steering wheel (with paddle shifters), M sport bumpers, special exhaust pipes, Adaptive Drive suspension
- Alpine white exterior colour
- Tobacco Nevada leather
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| Tobacco Nevada leather with fine-wood trim bamboo grain dark |
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| M-sport steering wheel with paddle shifters |
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| 19-inch styling 223M alloy wheels |
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| Oval exhaust pipes are part of the M-package, otherwise they are only fitted to the X5 4.8i or xDrive50i (V8 petrol engines) |
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| Sport seats come standard with the M-package, but for a small price it is possible to upgrade to comfort seats |
- Active steering
- Adaptive Drive*
- Automatic tailgate operation
- Comfort access
- Soft-close automatic doors
- Backup camera and Top view
- Panoramic glass sunroof
- Extended storage package
- Sunblinds for side windows
- Floor mats, velours
- Exterior and interior mirrors - folding, auto-
- Rear-view mirror, auto dimming
- Smokers package
- Comfort seats with memory*
- Ski bag
- Lumbar support, driver and passenger
- Storage package
- Seat heating driver / passenger
- Seat heating, rear
- Headlight wash
- Xenon headlights
- Adaptive headlights
- Automatic air conditioning
- Auxiliary heating
- Cruise control with brake function
- Light package
- Supplementary 12v sockets
- High-beam assistant
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| Park Distance Control and backup camera |
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| Park Distance Control and top view camera |
- Navigation system Professional - with bluetooth preperation
- BMW Assist
- Internet, preparations
- Expanded BMW Online Information
- BMW Online
- BMW TeleServices
- USB / Audio interface
- Speed Limit Info
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| Navigation system Professional - satellite view |
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| Navigation system Professional - showing traffic information, including police speed traps |
- Head-up display
- Voice control
- Preparation, mobile phone, business
- HiFi System Professional DSP
- Headlining anthracite*
- Innovation package
- Comfort package
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| Head-up display including the speed limit info |
Some pro's and con's on the BMW X5 xDrive30d LCI:
Pro:
- Refined and powerful (diesel) with an acceptable fuel consumption
- Smooth 8-speed gearbox
- Park Distance Control combined with top view camera make parking a vehicle of this size easy
- Up-to-date navigation and entertainment system
- Three passengers have enough room in the back
- Large booth
- Previous generation interior layout
- Previous generation HUD
- Smaller navigation screen compared to current generation BMWs
- Build quality is ok, but of a lesser standard then "German" BMWs
Despite its age and being of the previous generation BMWs, the X5 E70 in the later years still is a relatively modern vehicle. Continuous updates to the vehicle, for example the new soft- and hardware for the navigation system, the use of high quality backup and topview cameras and the introduction of BMW Online / Teleservices, have resulted in a product that still feels up-to-date.
However, when compared to the newer generation BMWs (7-series F01, 5-series F10) there is a notable difference, making the X5 E70 feeling somewhat outdated. The cockpit layout is still of the previous generation BMWs, the screen size is smaller then that of the current generation BMWs, the HUD only has two colors and has a lower resolution, and there is no digital speedometer. But overall the X5 E70 is still a very enjoyable car.
More pictures of this particular BMW X5 xDrive30d can be found by clicking here.
